“Asian Art Biennale is an event to be proud of”

Eminent cultural personality and Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Liaquat Ali Lucky shared his thoughts and aspirations of projecting Bangladesh artistically and culturally through the 18th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh (AABB) in a conversation with The Daily Star.

According to him, previously the artists from Asia and Asia Pacific region participated in the biennale, but now things have changed for the better. "From last year we opened the event to the entire world. The diversity and quality of the artworks are incredible," says Lucky. "Even though we still have shortcomings in terms of curation and creation of the overall ambience, there are many aspects to be proud of." Particularly, Lucky is optimistic about the art show titled 'Bindu Bisorga," curated by Bishwajit Goshwami and 'Performance Art Show,' curated by Mahbubur Rahman.

The organisers also opened a sculpture park in front of the National Art Biennale. Eminent artist Hamiduzzaman Khan oversaw the execution. "In the next editions, we would like to invite renowned curators from abroad to work with our local curators," Lucky says.

Lucky believes that it is only because of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her love for art that he gathered courage to project Bangladesh culturally and artistically. He also said that the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman instituted Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and they are treading towards the path that Bangabandhu showed them. "We are branding Bangladesh as a leader of art, literature and culture before the world. This is the motto and spirit of the biennale," says Lucky.